Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018

Monday, April 16, 2018

 

Razia Sultana addresses the Security Council's open debate on behalf of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (Photo: UN Photo/Mark Garten)

Overview

On 16 April 2018, under the Presidency of Peru, the UN Security Council held its annual open debate on sexual violence in conflict. Through Peru’s comprehensive guidance, the debate was framed as an opportunity to analyse how conflict-related sexual violence can be prevented and sustainably addressed by providing women with access to resources, advancing women’s participation and ensuring access to justice. Speakers also discussed patterns and trends identified in the annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (S/2018/250) around structural discrimination, economic inequalities and cultures of impunity as key drivers of conflict-related sexual violence. Sharing a grassroots perspective on sexual violence prevention and response, Ms. Razia Sultana, the first Rohingya to ever brief the Security Council, spoke on the political and humanitarian situation of women and girls in Myanmar. She also highlighted the impact of the mining industry and arms transfers on sexual violence and humanitarian crises across the globe.

Highlights

Peru’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda and civil society engagement during the debate demonstrated the ongoing leadership of the Council's non-permanent members in improving gender equality and women’s participation. While the recognition of prevention as an essential component of building sustainable peace has been previously articulated within the UN system, the Debate provided a focus on enhancing women’s leadership and access to resources and justice. Peru’s initiation of the debate during its Presidency thus marked a positive step towards eradicating sexual violence as a tool of war through an integrated and inclusive approach.

Speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed urged Member States to confront the structural inequalities that drive conflict-related sexual violence and leave many groups vulnerable. Citing the 2018 Secretary-General’s report, she reiterated that sexual violence is integral to the shadow economy of conflict and terrorism. She highlighted the commonality of women's loss of legal title and land in the aftermath of war. As illustration, where populations are forced to flee contested territory, aggressors seize control of the assets left behind. This problem is intensified when war-torn regions are left with mostly female-headed households with limited access to resources, rights and justice.

Addressing the Security Council for the first time as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten outlined the SRSG Office’s new three-pillar priority agenda in addressing sexual violence in conflict. Generally, the agenda stresses the importance of: converting cultures of impunity into deterrence through consistent prosecution; addressing structural gender inequalities as the root cause of sexual violence; and fostering national ownership and leadership for sustainable survivor-oriented response by empowering civil society and women. Ms. Patten also invited the Council to consider the establishment of a Reparations Fund for survivors of sexual violence, create more operational responses to stigma alleviation, and support the socio-economic re-integration of sexual violence survivors.

Civil society representative, Ms. Razia Sultana, Senior Researcher at Kaladan Press, spoke on behalf of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security to provide a grassroots perspective. As the first Rohingya to ever brief the Council, she shared the findings of her work on the political and humanitarian situation of women and girls in Myanmar. In particular, she highlighted that the Security Council had failed Myanmar’s ethnic minorities who have lived through decades of entrenched discrimination, rape and other human rights violations by state forces that operate with impunity. She linked the situation in Myanmar to situations around the world, including in Yemen and Syria, and called for actions to address the root causes of sexual violence in conflict. Ms. Sultana also brought attention to the need for greater policy coherence by Member States; noting the hypocrisy of some Member States in expressing horror at the new violence while also selling arms to Myanmar and seeking explorative licenses to mine its natural resources.

The discussion, guided by Peru's comprehensive concept note, provided a space for Member States to share best practices, lessons learned and key recommendations on tackling sexual violence in conflict effectively. In recognising sexual violence as an outcome of gendered power relations, many speakers called for addressing structural gender inequality and strengthening women’s empowerment through implementing gendered conflict analysis. The representatives of Sweden and France also advocated for re-channeling stigma away from victims and towards perpetrators of sexual violence, as well as strengthening the collection of gender-disaggregated data. Meanwhile, representatives of Bolivia, Botswana and Morocco called for greater engagement with religious and community leaders to address harmful social norms like victim-blaming and the stigmatisation of children born out of rape. On this note, SRSG Patten pointed out that, to date, Colombia is the only country with legislation that guarantees reparations and care for children born out of rape.   

Impunity and injustice, as immediate outcomes of gendered power relations, were identified by many speakers as drivers of renewed violence and conflict. Citing the example of Bosnia, SRSG Patten pointed out that a lack of comprehensive compensation schemes can inhibit peacebuilding. While some speakers commended positive examples of prosecution and justice in the DRC, South Sudan and Cote d’Ivoire, they also stressed that not a single member of ISIL or Boko Haram has been tried and held accountable for conflict-related sexual violence under international law. To overcome gaps relating to weak rule of law and harmful social norms, speakers demanded strengthening legal and evidentiary frameworks to enable prosecution and capacity-building among state and community judicial institutions. Japan's representative, for one, shared his country’s work with the DRC government in creating 7 specialised units on sexual violence, including technical support for judicial investigations and mobile courts. The representative of Colombia also highlighted the inclusion of women as magistrates and officers in transformative justice processes in Colombia, as part of its gender-focused peace accord, as a good practice example.

The statement by Ms. Sultana was warmly welcomed and praised by the majority of Member State representatives. The role of civil society as valuable partners in conflict prevention and peacebuilding was recognised at the debate, with representatives of France, Estonia and Ireland noting that women’s groups and organisations possess unique expertise to help them best understand concerns and opportunities on the ground. Their expertise also allows them to effectively identify, design and implement practical strategies to overcome challenges. In praising progress made in Afghanistan and South Sudan, the representative of Bolivia called for increased cooperation between the United Nations and civil society to promote women's political empowerment. Other initiatives in Colombia and the DRC, in relation to accountability and justice mechanisms, were referred to as good practices by Spain, Kazakhstan and the African Union for engaging with women and civil societies in creating effective transitional justice mechanisms.

Gender Analysis

Overall, the distribution of references pertinent to specific themes within the WPS agenda were far more prevalent among issues relating to justice and accountability (72%), protection (63%) and women’s participation (50%). Efforts to prevent and address sexual violence were concentrated around enhancing gender justice and ensuring women’s engagement in developing further strategies. Positive numbers of representatives also drew attention to themes of conflict prevention (39%), and women’s access to land and resources (4%). In general, Member State representatives recognised the lack of access to resources and services by specific groups in society as both a root cause of sexual violence as well as a driver of renewed post-conflict violence (29%). However, in spite of this progress, disarmament, as an integral pillar of the Agenda, was only addressed by SRSG Pramila Patten and Ms. Sultana.

Participation

Of the 68 delivered statements, 34 (50%) referenced women’s participation. Relevant statements called on the international community to promote the full participation of women in comprehensive prevention and protection efforts, including post-conflict reconciliation. As pointed out by the representative of Brazil, “there will only be peace if women effectively participate in these efforts”. 9 statements (13%) urged relevant parties to counter the shrinking space for civil society throughout the UN system and ensure the inclusion of local women’s organisations. In this vein, the representative of Norway highlighted the role of women’s civil society in providing psychosocial and legal support for victims of sexual violence, claiming that maintaining such engagement is pivotal for effective response. In discussing the Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls, the representative of the European Union noted that partnerships with CSO's and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) are essential in fulfilling the Initiative’s mission.

Protection

Of the 68 delivered statements, 43 (63%) referenced the need for providing support and access to resources for survivors of sexual violence. As prefaced by the SRSG, survivors endure multiple intersecting stigmas, including bearing children raped by the enemy and being perceived as affiliates of extremist or "enemy" groups. In response to challenges, several speakers called for the Council to scale-up educational awareness and capacity-building services for survivors. Other speakers also stressed the importance of reparations and economic empowerment programmes for survivors of sexual violence. One best practice that was highlighted was the cooperation between Kazakhstan, Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in establishing a trust fund to support the elimination of violence against women in Afghanistan. As affirmed by SRSG Patten, the presence of women’s protection advisers, who are responsible for convening the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence in the field, has improved the availability and quality of information. To date, 21 women’s protection advisers have been deployed in 7 mission settings.

Missed Opportunities

Under the innovative leadership of Peru, this year’s focus on prevention of sexual violence in conflict was pioneering in its approach towards addressing root causes, and in recognising that strengthening women’s participation and rights is a critical part of preventing sexual violence and conflict. The statements by SRSG Patten and Ms. Sultana also took on new ground in highlighting the importance of addressing militarisation and the political economies of war. As WILPF’s analysis has shown, the arms trade and increased militarisation fuel conflict and sexual violence. Military funding also diverts resources away from investments in conflict prevention mechanisms and community building programmes, including: gender-training for humanitarian and protection personnel; capacity-building; access to education for girls; as well as health and reproductive services for vulnerable persons. To this end, further recognition and action are needed to support disarmament and political economies of gender justice and peace.

To strengthen political economies of peace, conflict prevention and gender equality in view of eradicating sexual violence, the Security Council should:

  • Support the political participation of marginalised women, including rural communities and ethnic minorities, and support their analysis and work in building conflict prevention and response mechanisms that ensure their safety and security;

  • Ensure effective and sustainable mechanisms for protecting women human rights defenders, women protection advisers, and civil society actors;

  • Support national mechanisms for rigorous, transparent and gendered risk assessments of the international transfers of arms and export licences, developed in full consultation with civil society organisations;

  • Ensure consistent conflict analyses that recognise gendered power and actions towards equality, disarmament and non-violence;

  • Prioritise investments in accessible, affordable and quality social infrastructure as well as essential services that reduce and redistribute women's unpaid care and domestic work;

  • Establish reparation funds to allow survivors to build livelihoods, and facilitate their economic empowerment and socio-economic reintegration into society;

  • Provide financial, technical and political support to countries in order to encourage educational and leadership training, that reinforce and support non-violent, non-militarised expressions of masculinity, for men, women, boys and girls;

  • End impunity for all both state and non-state armed actors including Boko Haram and ISIL fighters, and ensure the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence perpetrators, in line with international humanitarian and human rights law.

*** Prepared by Ijechi Nwaozuzu

Resources: 

Civil society statement delivered at the Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018

Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (S/2018/250)

2018 SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT: Concept Note

Please choose

Conflict Prevention
  • Country

    United Arab Emirates
  • Extracts

    The importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment cannot be understated in efforts to prevent, and respond to, these crimes; in fact, gender equality and women’s empowerment – fundamental principles of the UAE’s foreign policy – are core values which can prevent violence against women when they are woven throughout society.

  • Country

    Sweden
  • Extracts

    The Council needs to address the gender dynamics of the root causes of conflict. We must consider structural gender inequality as a critical element of the instability that hinders efforts to maintain or restore international peace and security. To achieve this, we need gendered conflict analysis, building on gender-disaggregated data and solid gender expertise. We also need to build alliances with brave civil society actors, who play an essential role in addressing conflict-related sexual violence and promoting gender equality. We fully support the Secretary-General's recommendation that the Council considers the early warning signs of sexual violence in its monitoring of conflict situations.

  • Country

    Lithuania
  • Extracts

    Lithuania continuously underlines the importance of the Secretary-General’s efforts to put emphasis on conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The overarching priority of prevention should be at the forefront of our fight against sexual violence in conflict – we should look for early warning indicators to identify potential conflict situations.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    We recognize that the best defence against sexual violence is prevention. We must make gender equality a central tenant of all our efforts to bring to light abuse and emphasize and expand areas of prevention. The adoption of early warning indicators, strengthened civil society dialogue, and reinforced public diplomacy has reinforced all our efforts

  • Country

    Japan
  • Extracts

     In preventing and deterring sexual violence, we need to reflect on its root causes. Discrimination of women and gender inequality are one of the root causes and drivers of sexual violence [...] Moreover, economic and political empowerment is a surefire way to prevent and deter sexual violence. Women are active peace-builders and safeguards against violent extremism, not just victims of conflict. Empowering women enhances the resilience of families, communities, regions and beyond

  • Country

    Switzerland
  • Extracts

    Let me turn to gender equality as the principle means of prevention. There is a strong empirical connection between the lack of gender equality in a society and readiness to take up arms. A thorough analysis of the dynamics of gender equality can therefore help to design tailor-made programmes to prevent conflicts from breaking out. This is why Switzerland’s 4th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security will also focus on promoting gender-responsive security sector reform and the deployment of mixed teams in military and police units.

  • Country

    Vatican
  • Extracts

    Ever-greater resources and focus must be dedicated to conflict prevention. The Holy See supports the efforts of the Security Council, within the limits of its mandate under the Charter of the United Nations, actively to encourage the Member States to settle their disputes through dialogue and negotiation [...] Heightened attention and efforts to prevent violence against women should be sustained in post-conflict situations, which, more often than not, remain chaotic, lawless and dangerous, and are thus environments that enable and facilitate violence against women. With the goal of eliminating the root causes of conflict, the international community should actively help post-conflict countries to promote education, economic and social development, and to ensure that the dividends of peace and development benefit the entire population.

  • Country

    Norway
  • Extracts

    The challenges are immense: insufficient protection mechanisms, inadequate rule of law and weak judicial systems, poor services for survivors, stigmatization of victims and witnesses of gender-based violence, structural discrimination, economic and social inequalities, just to mention a few.

  • Country

    Czech Rep.
  • Extracts

    We believe that the culture of violence relates to socioeconomic factors and occurs where various groups are marginalized. The Czech Republic therefore addresses the root causes of the inequalities in societies by implementing projects aimed at the economic empowerment of women and their equal participation in public and political affairs. Such projects are implemented in Georgia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    Conflict-related sexual violence can be prevented, and more effectively addressed, through the empowerment of women, gender equality and accountability for the crimes perpetrated.

  • Country

    Spain
  • Extracts

    In a majority of cases, they are women and girls who are economically and politically marginalized. This is the case whether we refer to the women and girls of CAR, to those in Kivu, Kasais or Tanganyika in the DRC, to the Yazidis in Iraq, or to the Rohingya in Myanmar, where there has even been talk of ethnic cleansing. We must address the root causes (inequality and lack of women’s empowerment and participation), and we must react to any early warnings. The Council counts on -or can count on if it so decides- the necessary tools: the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, peace operations’ mandates, the work of women protection counsellors, as well as sanctions, just to name a few. 

  • Country

    Estonia
  • Extracts

    Estonia is fully committed to tackle gender- based violence and has a comprehensive Development Strategy for Reducing Violence from 2015 to 2020 domestically. It lays out concrete activities on how to reduce and prevent violence in its various forms, including sexual violence.  Globally, Estonia has been a strong supporter of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Ms. Pramila Patten and her mandate

  • Country

    Netherlands
  • Extracts

    Masculine dominated cultures often create obstacles to upholding zero tolerance policies. But – like the Secretary-General – we are determined to remove those obstacles, and work towards true gender equality. 

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    Sexual violence in conflict does not arise spontaneously. Therefore, it can be prevented if States fully use all the available tools to empower women and girls and strengthen their protection and access to justice. By investing in women and girls as essential promoters of peace and security, we must bear in mind that every national and international effort to address sexual violence in conflicts, from a prevention perspective, requires to recognize the virtuous cycle between sustaining peace, development, the rule of law and human rights.

  • Country

    Austria
  • Extracts

    We also emphasize the relevance of early warning and awareness-raising measures to tackle problems regarding the situations of minorities, including through the competent UN mechanisms and bodies as well as regional organizations.

  • Country

    Maldives
  • Extracts

    The Maldives supports the Secretary General's preventative approach, and we believe that early-warning indicators could help prevent sexual violence in conflict prone areas, in addition to post-conflict situations, and that this should be factored in when evaluating risks to peace and security in the Council. In this regard we wish to emphasize the importance of ensuring adequate funding for sexual violence programmes in conflict-affected situations.

  • Country

    Ireland
  • Extracts

    We all recognise that the majority of victims of CRSV are marginalised women and girls, often living in rural areas beyond the reach of law enforcement and protection. Rural women are vulnerable to displacement and are often forced to flee following struggles for the control of land and resources. Women’s physical security is thus inextricably linked with their political, social and economic security. Women bear the brunt of conflict at every level.

  • Country

    Ethiopia
  • Extracts

    The Council should also continue to attach the utmost importance to preventing and addressing the root causes of conflict. Furthermore, measures aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities of civilians, including by enhancing the capacity of peacekeeping missions, as well as the Council’s using all the available tools at its disposal, will be critical. In this regard, the Council could explore the recommendation of the SecretaryGeneral to include sexual violence as part of the designation criteria on a case-by-case basis, particularly in the context of the use of mass rape and other forms of sexual violence by extremist and terrorist groups.

  • Country

    Kuwait
  • Extracts

    We agree with the Secretary-General that the best way to prevent sexual violence is to protect basic freedoms and human rights, support economic empowerment and fair political participation, build national capacity and provide assistance to the survivors of sexual violence, in particular women and girls who are marginalized or economically disadvantaged.

  • Country

    France
  • Extracts

    The intolerable often takes root in intolerance. Sexual violence is very often exacerbated or even incited by discrimination, including that linked to gender, inequality between women and men, prejudice and stereotypes. Even after their liberation, victims are often pursued by those prejudices and face stigmatization.

  • Country

    Bolivia
  • Extracts

    We believe that women’s empowerment as a preventive measure, access to justice and accountability are fundamental elements in the fight against sexual violence. However, it is clear that, in order to promote such measures, we must first address the root causes of conflict, reduce structural inequalities, combat extreme poverty and eradicate the discrimination that patriarchal systems have left entrenched in society and that prevent women from enjoying unhindered personal development and access to justice. Prevention is a very important tool that the Secretary-General has been promoting over the past year. Increasing the cooperation between the United Nations and civil society is essential for prevention, in order to access more specific information that will enable us to carry out more reliable analyses of the situation.

  • Country

    Poland
  • Extracts

    Poverty and social exclusion are risk factors associated with genderbased violence. The economic empowerment of women means ensuring proper funding for programmes that address the economic and social needs of survivors, as well as implementing initiatives aimed at changing the conditions that enable violence to occur in the first place. We also believe that there is a need for a broader discussion in the Security Council of the importance of women’s economic empowerment in post-conflict settings in more general terms. Peacebuilding and recovery funding still largely ignore women’s economic role.

  • Country

    Poland
  • Extracts

    The great reluctance of many men and boys to report sexual violence makes it very difficult to accurately assess its scope. Almost certainly, the limited statistics that exist vastly understate the number of male victims. For male survivors, sexual violence remains hidden owing to cultural taboos. The hesitancy of male survivors to speak about sexual violence makes impunity for such crimes even more likely. We urge States to remove all structural and legal obstacles that prevent the investigation and prosecution of rape and other forms of sexual violence committed against men and boys.

  • Country

    Russia
  • Extracts

    In our view, therefore, eliminating sexual violence, as well as other forms of violence directed at civilians, can be achieved only by resolving armed conflicts by peaceful means and eradicating their root causes.

Participation
  • Country

    Sweden
  • Extracts

    Without the inclusion of and respect for all, a sustainable peace can never be achieved. We know that gender equality makes societies more peaceful. The ongoing Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality will cover many of these critical issues and seek common solutions.

  • Country

    Lithuania
  • Extracts

    The only way to effectively address this scourge is a comprehensive and integrated approach on the international, regional and national levels, which entails prevention, early warning, justice and accountability, participation of women in political processes, and their political, social and economic empowerment.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    The international community has a responsibility to better protect women; but protection cannot exist without the promotion of women’s rights and acceptance that their full participation in all decision-making is critical.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    Research shows that female participation improves dispute resolutions. Women need to be at the table during peace negotiations. The United Nations should strive to include female representation in negotiating bodies and mediating teams.

  • Country

    Argentina
  • Extracts

    We also know that women’s participation has a positive impact on the credibility and durability of peace agreements. Therefore, it is all the more essential to include gender considerations and the meaningful participation of women in early warning, mediation, and conflict resolution efforts, as well as the mainstreaming of gender-specific language and the human rights of women in peace agreements. A greater role for women needs also to be ensured in post-conflict peacebuilding and economic recovery [...] We support the engagement of women’s leadership and the incorporation of a gender lens in the development of strategies to prevent and address violent extremism, and recognize Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership as a dynamic network of independent women-led organizations that are locally rooted and globally connected. Such an approach recognizes the role of women in developing resilience, the impact of violent extremism on women, and the reality of women joining violent extremist groups. We also welcome the establishment of the Group of Friends of Preventing Violent Extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, co-chaired by Jordan and Norway, which stresses the need for full and executive participation of women and youth in efforts to prevent violent extremism.
  • Country

    Vatican
  • Extracts

    There is no better means to protect women from violence during conflict than preventing the eruption of conflict itself. Attention must be given to ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their effective participation is availed of throughout the whole process.

  • Country

    Liechtenstein
  • Extracts

    Patterns of sexual violence are often embedded in and compounded by underlying structural conditions such as inequality, gender-based discrimination and the violations of minority rights. The empowerment of women is therefore a key ingredient of an effective response. This requires increased representation of women in mechanisms to address conflicts and the incorporation of a gender perspective in conflict resolution and peace processes.

  • Country

    Ukraine
  • Extracts

    Ukraine considers equal and full participation of women in all activities in the area of prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace-building and peacekeeping, to be of utmost importance. In my country, the ongoing fulfillment of the National Action Plan (NAP) for Implementation of 1325 for 2016–2020 is aimed at achieving greater participation of women in decision-making, in particular in the matters of national security and defense and peacemaking, as well as ensuring protection of women and girls, including prevention and response to gender-based violence.

  • Country

    Norway
  • Extracts

    Without full and effective participation of women at all levels of decision-making, we will not be able to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence efficiently.

  • Country

    Myanmar
  • Extracts

    Myanmar's 10-year National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2013-2022) covers key areas of the UN agenda, including women's empowerment; prevention of violence against women and girls; women participation in politics and public office; women, peace and security; and gender mainstreaming.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    In keeping with the Secretary-General’s commitment to women’s leadership and gender equality as a vital element of his prevention agenda, Italy launched the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network. The Mediterranean region, as we all know, is key to international peace and security, is currently facing a number of threats, including violent extremism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking and humanitarian emergencies. In such a context, women can effectively help countries prevent conflicts and strengthen national reconciliation processes by ensuring a gendered and inclusive perspective on issues such as security, justice and governance, which are often the root causes of violent conflicts. The Network is specifically aiming at increasing the number of women involved in peacemaking efforts, and at facilitating the appointment of women mediators and Special Envoys at a local and international level, notably in the Mediterranean region.

  • Country

    Estonia
  • Extracts

    Intergovernmental cooperation is extremely significant, however, everyone needs to be heard. Civil societies and non-governmental organizations, and in particular, women’s organizations have the ability to provide new insight and data that could otherwise be missed. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that NGO-s have larger platforms and more access in the UN meetings and Forums.  

  • Country

    Netherlands
  • Extracts

    By including women and gender perspectives in prevention, peacekeeping and conflict resolution, we can diminish sexual violence in conflict, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse.

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    Sustaining peace cannot be conceived without the participation of women and girls and the integral consideration of their needs. The systematic exclusion of girls from education leads to discrimination and at the end results in the marginalization of women from political, economic and social life. This marginalization is one of the most evident structural causes of conflicts and produces a fertile ground for sexual violence. Girls must be empowered within the family and at school with regard to boys; women must be empowered with equity with regard to men and the whole society.

  • Country

    Ireland
  • Extracts

    We in Ireland firmly believe that the role of civil society at the grassroots level is essential for empowering women in conflict prevention

  • Country

    Ireland
  • Extracts

    We believe that greater representation of women in governance, especially those from rural communities, would raise the profile of these issues, and facilitate positive change. In addition to this, we also support community mobilization campaigns through community and religious leaders, aimed at shifting the stigma of sexual violence from victims to perpetrators.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    Additionally, research shows that female participation improves dispute resolution. Women need to be at the table during peace negotiations. The United Nations should strive to include female representation in negotiating bodies and mediating teams.

  • Country

    Bolivia
  • Extracts

    It is key to promote the participation of women in peace, security and development processes, and to include in the agreements specific content on the inclusion of women, the fight against sexual violence and the elimination of impunity. The political empowerment of women should be promoted by States through concrete measures that transform the conditions of abuse and discrimination in which women, minorities and rural populations live.

Protection
  • Country

    Sweden
  • Extracts

    As the Secretary-General's report highlights, the effects of sexual violence – including trauma, stigma, poverty, and poor health – can echo across generations. In response, we need to ensure socio-economic reintegration support to restore community cohesion. Survivors of sexual and gender based violence also must have access to the full range of livelihood, legal, psychosocial and medical services, including sexual and reproductive health services that are not subject to donor restrictions.

  • Country

    Lithuania
  • Extracts

    Another vital issue we should address is care for and protection of survivors of sexual violence. Sexual violence affects entire generations, with stigma on women and their children having lasting repercussions. Public, religious, and community leaders can personally engage in helping to shift the stigma from the victims of sexual abuse to the perpetrators of those heinous crimes. Victims must have access to justice, accountability and redress mechanisms in order to assure their reintegration into respective societies.

  • Country

    Germany
  • Extracts

    Survivors must be at the center of our comprehensive efforts. Medical and psychological care, opportunities for economic participation and legal protection are some key aspects. Germany has received a large number of women and children who suffered traumatic experiences in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and we are funding projects in Iraq to provide comprehensive assistance. This includes a joint program with the Iraqi government to train health professionals to deal with the specific traumata endured by survivors. A survivor-centered approach needs to link accountability with psychosocial and livelihood support, and should not ignore one of these two pillars at the expense of the other.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    At NATO we understand that protection is at the core of the Women, Peace and Security mandate. NATO-led forces have a responsibility to protect and defend women against violence, but we also recognize this cannot be separated from the issue of empowerment and participation. There can be no protection without participation [...] In NATO we tackle protection through a holistic approach to address the wider issues that affect women in conflict and post conflict. We equally focus on the importance of protecting women and girls from violence and the criticality of supporting and enhancing women’s participation.

  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    Women’s Protection Advisers deployed to UN peace operations also have a leading role to play in supporting government counterparts to implement their commitments. These commitments include engaging all parties to the conflict to prevent sexual violence. And they include ensuring that survivors and civil society organizations can voice their concerns about security, protection and limitations in service-provision, and that they can help shape inclusive new policies and laws.

  • Country

    Myanmar
  • Extracts

    We have also set up One Stop Women Support Centers (OSWSC) throughout the country to support women and girls who had experienced violence. The Centers provide physical, legal, psychological and social support. Moreover, national gender based hotlines have been established since 2016 to help the victims of violence to report and get counseling. We are also revising the Child Law to include the provision on conflict-related sexual violence against children.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    ... the increased vulnerability of migrants, especially women and girls, to trafficking for the purposes of sexual and other forms of exploitation. Women and girls fleeing conflict must be afforded safe passage and protection, including from sexual and gender-based violence, while in transit and at their final destinations.

  • Country

    Netherlands
  • Extracts

    Furthermore, it is up to Member States to guarantee survivors’ access to all legal, psychosocial as well as medical services, including safe abortion, emergency contraception and HIV treatment.

  • Country

    Austria
  • Extracts

    Persons belonging to minorities encounter a high risk of being targets of violence. This was exemplified to us today by the testimony of Razia Sultana from the Rohingya community of Myanmar. Equally appalling is the fact that Da'esh continues to traffic Iraqi Yezidi women and girls into and across Syria as part of their campaign targeting minorities. The patterns of violence against women and girls belonging to minorities are embedded in underlying structural conditions, including inequality, gender-based discrimination and the neglect of the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

  • Country

    Ireland
  • Extracts

    Ireland is particularly concerned to hear reports of the targeting of high profile female human rights defenders through crimes of sexual violence. Today we urge Member States to take measures to ensure the adequate protection of women in the civil society space. Ireland also urges the Security Council to assume its own responsibility in this, and to be consistent and timely in its use of sanctions against perpetrators of conflictrelated sexual violence.

  • Country

    France
  • Extracts

    Sexual violence must therefore be fought throughout the process, from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration. Victim support programmes, such as those established in Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, are essential. Social, legal and medical services, including psychological and social support, as well as dialogue within communities, are crucial. That response must be quick, as demonstrated by the situation in the Central African Republic, where men and boys are also victims.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
  • Country

    United Arab Emirates
  • Extracts

    Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key tenets of the UAE’s worldview. This is why “Women’s Protection and Empowerment” form one of the three pillars on which our entire Foreign Assistance Strategy rests. It is through the mainstreaming of these ideals in our global engagement that we can prevent sexual violence in conflict by creating stable, tolerant, and prosperous societies.

  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    The forms of sexual violence I consistently heard about from survivors and witnesses included: rape, gang-rape by multiple soldiers, forced public nudity and humiliation, and sexual slavery in military captivity. One survivor described being held in captivity by members of the Myanmar Armed Forces (the Tatmadaw) for 45 days, during which time she was reportedly raped over and over again. Several survivors still bore visible scars, bruises, burns and bite marks, attesting to their ordeal. One woman showed me how she can no longer see out of her left eye, which was bitten by a solider during a vicious sexual assault.

  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    I stand ready to mobilize for the benefit of the Governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh the interagency network that I chair known as UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, which supports efforts to deliver a coordinated, multi-sectoral response for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including healthcare and psychosocial support.

  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    This year, in Myanmar and many other conflict situations, the widespread threat and use of sexual violence has, once again, been used as a tactic to advance military, economic and ideological objectives. And, once again, it has been a driver of massive forced displacement. Let me be clear, both genders endure the horrific brutality of sexual violence in conflict. Sexual violence is also a very common method of torture of detainees. And, in many conflicts, most detainees are men and boys. But, overall, women and girls are disproportionately affected. Gender-based discrimination is the invisible driver of most crimes of sexual violence. And, the lower a woman’s status -- in terms of health, wealth and education -- the greater is her vulnerability and exposure to harm.

  • Country

    Ukraine
  • Extracts

    We note with deep concern that sexual violence has become a routine tactical element of war in many conflicts. Rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and sexual torture constitute abhorrent violations of human rights and human dignity. In some instances, they surpass the level of war crimes and reach the scale of crimes against humanity or a genocidal slaughter.

  • Country

    Pakistan
  • Extracts

    For far too long, sexual violence has remained a grim and inevitable reality of armed conflicts, which has often been employed systematically and with impunity, to coerce, punish, humiliate and instill fear in the targeted civilian population. Even as the international community has come together to collectively condemn such acts of unimaginable horror, sexual abuse of women and girls continues to be used as a tactic of war in conflicts around the world.

  • Country

    Maldives
  • Extracts

    The Maldives strongly condemns how sexual violence is being "weaponized" through targeting victims based on ethnic, religious, or political affiliation, which destroys social cohesion, leading to forced displacement, and deprivation from economic resources. We note with concern that the failure to address these issues has led to desperate recourse of more harmful magnitudes, including child marriage, withdrawal from educational and employment opportunities, and resorting to commercial sexual exploitation.

Peacekeeping
  • Country

    Sweden
  • Extracts

    The importance of women in peacekeeping no longer needs to be justified. The evidence speaks for itself. With more female peacekeepers and police officers we can achieve more, and reach the whole population in a conflict area. Sweden is actively addressing factors that hinder the deployment of women peacekeepers, police, and corrections officers.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    The UN should ensure that all peacekeeping training centers around the world include training to involve women in prevention and peace-building efforts.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    The United Nations also has a role to play in countering violence against women in the field through our peacekeeping missions. Women talk to each other, and more importantly, they understand each other. We should capitalize on this fundamental truth and do a better job recruiting and including more women in peacekeeping. Unfortunately, only four percent of uniformed peacekeepers are women. That number is even smaller in the most dangerous missions where women are suffering the most. Deploying more women peacekeepers will provide valuable insights that male peacekeepers often cannot obtain.

  • Country

    Argentina
  • Extracts

    Separately, peacekeeping operations need to be equipped with appropriate gender-responsive conflict analysis and expertise. We are deeply concerned that cutting, downgrading, and under-resourcing gender advisors and women protection advisors positions may cripple the ability of peace operations to fulfill these critical tasks. We must also ensure that UN peacekeepers themselves are not part of the problem and condemn cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations. We welcome recent initiatives by the Secretary-General,  including the conclusion of sexual exploitation and abuse Voluntary Compact with Member States, the establishment of a Circle of Leadership, and the appointment of a SEA Victims’ Rights Advocate. Still much more needs to be done to tackle this scourge, ensure accountability, and fundamentally reconfigure our collective approach to make it victim-centered.

  • Country

    Vatican
  • Extracts

    The prevention of every form of violence against women in conflict and the protection of their legitimate rights and interests should be an integral part of peacekeeping operations. The importance of integrating women in peacekeeping missions can also be seen from this perspective. Host countries should be helped to prioritize the prevention of violence against women during conflict, ensuring the inclusion and active participation of women in all stages of peace processes.

  • Speaker

    European Union
  • Extracts

    We continue to support UN action against conflict related sexual violence. We recognise that UN peacekeeping operations play a vital role in the protection of women, girls, men and boys as part of their mandated task of protecting civilians. We also stress the importance of training peacekeeping personnel on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.

  • Country

    Pakistan
  • Extracts

    As one of the world’s leading troop contributing countries, Pakistan has set the highest standards in fulfilling peacekeeping mandates, including protection of vulnerable segments of population especially women and children from violence. We fully support the Secretary General’s policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. Pakistan was among the first group of countries to sign the Secretary General’s voluntary compact on the subject. We have also contributed to the Trust Fund for the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. To share our experience and promote best practices in peacekeeping, we have established a UN Peacekeeping Training Institute in Pakistan, offering specially designed modules to help peacekeepers respond effectively and protect innocent civilians from sexual violence. We also believe increased participation of female peacekeepers and encouraging more women to take up mediation roles will help in the stabilization and reconstruction phase of post-conflict rehabilitation.

  • Country

    Netherlands
  • Extracts

    While the report looks primarily at sexual violence inflicted by armed groups and state actors, we cannot ignore cases of sexual exploitation and abuse or sexual harassment committed by those working for, or associated with the United Nations. The Kingdom of the Netherlands reaffirms its total commitment to the UN’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and on sexual harassment. It is rightfully gaining the attention and visibility it deserves.

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    Mexico joined the Secretary General’s Voluntary Compact to prevent and address sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel in the field. In this regard, we must remember that the privileges and immunities of the UN cannot and should not be understood as a trait to act impunity.

  • Country

    Austria
  • Extracts

    Reports on sexual exploitation and abuse by personnel in UN peacekeeping missions, both military and civilian, in recent years have increasingly tainted the reputation of the UN and undermined its credibility. Austria condemns such behaviour and welcomes the focus of the Secretary-General on this important issue and his initiatives in this regard.

  • Country

    Maldives
  • Extracts

    We wish to underscore the responsibilities that armed forces and peacekeeping operations have in preventing sexual violence in conflict. It is important not only to ensure training in international humanitarian and human rights law in the specific context of sexual exploitation, but also establish strict monitoring and accountability within these systems to prevent abuse by these actors themselves. In this regard, we are pleased to note that all UN peacekeeping operations with mandates on protection of civilians have established monitoring arrangements and incorporated early-warning indicators of conflict-related sexual violence.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    The United Nations also has a role to play in countering violence against women in the field through our peacekeeping missions. Women talk to each other, and, more importantly, they understand each other. We should capitalize on this fundamental truth and do a better job of recruiting and including more women in peacekeeping. Unfortunately, only 4 per cent of uniformed peacekeepers are women. That number is even smaller in the most dangerous missions, where women are suffering the most. Deploying more women peacekeepers will provide valuable insights that male peacekeepers often cannot obtain.

  • Country

    Ethiopia
  • Extracts

    The Council should also continue to attach the utmost importance to preventing and addressing the root causes of conflict. Furthermore, measures aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities of civilians, including by enhancing the capacity of peacekeeping missions, as well as the Council’s using all the available tools at its disposal, will be critical. In this regard, the Council could explore the recommendation of the SecretaryGeneral to include sexual violence as part of the designation criteria on a case-by-case basis, particularly in the context of the use of mass rape and other forms of sexual violence by extremist and terrorist groups.

  • Country

    France
  • Extracts

    We must ensure that peacekeeping operations have the necessary capacity to implement their mandates. Protecting women is not optional; it is an absolute necessity that must be firmly anchored at the centre of operations. In that regard, the posts of gender advisers and women’s protection advisers are crucial and must be preserved.

Displacement and Humanitarian Response
  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    A Security Council resolution demanding an immediate end to violations against the civilian population in Rakhine State and measures to hold the perpetrators accountable would send an important signal. It is critical that the Council call for humanitarian agencies to be given immediate, unhindered access to populations in need.

  • Country

    Argentina
  • Extracts

    The number of internally displaced persons and refugees continues to rise to unprecedented levels. In his report, the Secretary-General points to sexual violence as a driver of displacement and highlights the increased risks faced by displaced women and girls, who make up the majority of displaced persons.

  • Speaker

    European Union
  • Extracts

    In 2017, the EU allocated almost €22 million in humanitarian aid for the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence worldwide. In June 2017, the EU took over the leadership of the "Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies", a global initiative of more than 70 stakeholders to make sure that all humanitarian actors work together to prevent and mitigate gender-based violence, from the earliest onset of a crisis. 

  • Country

    Spain
  • Extracts

    We observe how sexual violence is sometimes a factor in forced displacements in situations such as Colombia, Iraq or Syria; the risk does not disappear in refugee camps; and the fear of being sexually assaulted inhibits many displaced people from returning to their communities. The case of the Rohingya is particularly worrisome. We are convinced that the global compact refugee negotiations provide a good opportunity to address sexual violence in these contexts.

Human Rights
  • Country

    Myanmar
  • Extracts

    Myanmar strongly objects the use of such words as "ethnic cleansing" or "genocide" in reference to the situation in Rakhine State. Such irresponsible accusations based on unsubstantiated, one-sided allegations, fake news and tempered reports for political purpose, will only exacerbate the current situation and will lead to further polarization of different communities in the region.

Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    I am committed to extending the full support of my Office, which can include technical assistance in law reform and capacity-building of the national armed and security forces to foster compliance with international standards, including zero tolerance for sexual abuse. Such support can be provided through my Team of Experts on the Rule of Law, which was mandated by this Council to help build the capacity of justice and security sector institutions [...] Repatriation will not be possible without concerted efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes. To this end, an impartial, independent mechanism to support investigation would be an important step. Those who are found to be implicated in abuses should be removed from positions of command responsibility and prosecuted.

  • Country

    Sweden
  • Extracts

    At the heart of this issue is the fundamental principle of women's full enjoyment of human rights, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights. The link between accountability and prevention is clear. Ensuring accountability and putting an end to impunity for violations and abuses against international law must be a priority for all of us, both inside and outside this Council [...] We welcome the enhanced focus on access to justice and its links to prevention. This contributes to ending impunity as well as to ensuring victims' trust in accountable and effective criminal justice institutions.

  • Country

    Lithuania
  • Extracts

    Having strong national institutions and adequate judiciary and penal framework to this end is essential, as is making sure that national civilian and military justice systems don’t lack national capacity and expertise to prevent, investigate and prosecute sexual violence. With political will and professional assistance, national governments can halt sexual violence in conflict by holding perpetrators to account and delivering justice to victims.

  • Speaker

    Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Extracts

    Our responsibility must be to bring justice, recognition and reparations to the survivors of these horrendous crimes. Not only justice in the courtrooms, but also social justice and economic empowerment. We should recognize and support the resilience of the many survivors who are working as agents of change. And, if we are to prevent these crimes being repeated, we must ensure accountability and deterrence.

  • Country

    Japan
  • Extracts

    Women and men are affected differently during conflict. Because of this, women and men provide different information to investigations on invisible crimes such as sexual violence. Women and men also have different needs when it comes to victim assistance such as the compensation process, establishment of safe spaces, and support for war widows. To address the complex issues around accountability, a gender-responsive rule of law and justice should be ensured in conflict and post-conflict settings. Japan has been financially supporting the work of the Team of Experts in the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict since 2014. The Team is deployed effectively in some of the world’s most challenging contexts and is delivering practical results.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    It is now time for the Council to use these tools to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. It is now time to end impunity for these criminals and show survivors and the rest of the world that the international community will respond. It is now time that Member States actively develop sanctions designations for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict. We can also designate criminals operating in conflict zones where we already have UN sanctions regimes in place. Taking these steps will not only end impunity for sexual violence in conflict, it will also helped to deter future abuses.

  • Country

    Argentina
  • Extracts

    To end impunity, perpetrators must be brought to justice, and victims and survivors must be assisted in a comprehensive manner in order to fully recover from these violations and be able to reintegrate in their societies. We are also appalled by acts of sexual violence, including rape, child, early and forced marriage, and enslavement, including those committed by terrorist groups such as Daesh. In this regard, we welcome the recent adoption of Security Council Resolution 2379 on accountability for the acts committed by Daesh in Iraq. It is our hope that this is the first step in a process to ensure more comprehensive accountability. 

  • Country

    Switzerland
  • Extracts

    The widespread fear of reprisals and stigma discourages people subjected to sexual violence from coming forward. Law enforcement agencies are therefore important partners in dealing with violence. Therefore, Switzerland supports police and armed forces by training them about compliance with existing legislation and how to take a victim-centred approach when handling cases of sexual violence. Often the first step is to increase public trust in the police. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have been supporting police ‘Open Door’ days for local people. In Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Nepal, Switzerland has worked with local police forces.

  • Country

    Vatican
  • Extracts

    States should maximize their efforts on both the national and international levels to ensure prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes. The International Criminal Court plays a key role in this regard by judging crimes that have been recognized by the Rome Statute as war crimes and crimes against humanity, including those that may constitute crimes of genocide.

  • Country

    Liechtenstein
  • Extracts

    In Syria, sexual violence has been used as tactic of war and as part of an attack against the civilian population, committed by various parties to the conflict, with rampant impunity. It is shocking in particular that not a single member of ISIL has been prosecuted for sexual violence offenses as of yet. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), created by the General Assembly in light of the paralysis in the Security Council, has made sexual and gender-based violence a priority of its work. We call on all States to cooperate with the IIIM, by sharing relevant information and through financial support. Accountability is an essential part of the fight against conflict-related sexual violence. International criminal justice mechanisms have done groundbreaking work.

  • Country

    Norway
  • Extracts

    The International Criminal Court plays a central role in the fight against impunity, but states have the primary duty to prevent and investigate cases, and to prosecute the perpetrators. Strengthening the capacity of national institutions to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual-and gender based violence during peacetime and conflict, is therefore critical for accountability [...] We work with SRSG Patten, the Team of Experts, UN Action and Justice Rapid Response. Justice Rapid Response and UN Women are doing valuable work for example in training experts in investigating SGBV crimes.

  • Country

    Czech Rep.
  • Extracts

    We should step up our effort to put an end to the atmosphere of impunity. Initiatives on high political level should be translated to concrete actions to ensure the accountability concept is fully implemented on the ground [...] In terms of enforcing accountability, the Czech Republic continues to support the International Criminal Court and ad hoc international tribunals.

  • Speaker

    European Union
  • Extracts

    Accountability and access to justice are a must. Victims and witnesses of sexual violence have to be ensured access to impartial and safe tribunals and to reparations, including as a form of transitional gender justice, and their safety must be sufficiently addressed during as well as after these legal processes. We emphasize the significant advancement in international justice made by the International Criminal Court, as well as non-permanent International Criminal Tribunals in combating conflict-related sexual violence. We underline the need for expedient and effective investigation and documentation of these crimes. Nevertheless, we bear in mind that the ICC jurisdiction is complementary to that of States and that the primary responsibility for bringing perpetrators to justice resides with the States. At national level, accountability and transitional justice mechanisms are also crucial to this end. Strengthening the capacity of the police and other rule of law actors within national institutions is critical to ensuring accountability for past crimes, as well as prevention and deterrence.

  • Country

    Myanmar
  • Extracts

    If there is concrete evidence, we are ready to take action against any perpetrator in accordance with the law without impunity. The recent sentencing of seven military personnel to 10 years in prison with hard labour who were involved in the Inn Din incident, is a clear demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to the rule of law. My delegation categorically rejects the groundless accusatio

  • Country

    Pakistan
  • Extracts

    In order to combat impunity for these crimes, and protect women and girls from systematic abuse, the international community needs to recalibrate its response. Let me make four specific points in this regard: One, the Security Council, as the primary body tasked with the maintenance of international peace and security, should focus on addressing the root causes of conflict to remove the grounds where such crimes breed; Two, mechanisms to independently investigate and verify reports emerging from conflict situations where sexual violence is taking place are critical to dealing with the issue; Three, we must also take concrete steps to enhance the capacity of national institutions and improve criminal justice systems in countries facing armed conflict; and four, justice does not only mean punishment for the perpetrators. It also means redress for the survivors. Victim protection and rehabilitation should remain a top priority. The stigma attached to victimhood must be redirected towards the perpetrators. They are the ones who should be made an example of, not just as retribution, but also as a preventive measure.

  • Speaker

    NATO
  • Extracts

    At a national level, we must assist governments in strengthening accountability for these crimes. This is what we are doing with the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units in Vicenza, which provides high-quality training and specialized courses for peacekeepers on the “prevention and investigation of sexual and gender-based violence”. At a global level, the Statute of the International Criminal Court expressly lists various forms of sexual and gender-based crimes as underlying acts of both crimes against humanity and war crimes. In this context, we welcome the recent surrendering of Al Hassan Abdul Aziz, wanted for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Mali, including rape, forced marriage and sexual slavery. Justice, if appropriately supported, including by this Council, can become a relevant deterrent for human rights violations.

  • Country

    Spain
  • Extracts

    Impunity is met with mechanisms that improve the preservation of evidence, as well as mechanisms that require specialized knowledge. The prosecution of two emblematic cases in the DRC, as well as the judgement by the ICC in the case of Bosco Ntaganda not only contribute to victims having greater confidence in justice, but are also a way to dissuade possible perpetrators.

  • Country

    United Kingdom
  • Extracts

    The survivors of sexual violence and children born through rape must receive justice for what has happened to them. This is a critical element of our prevention efforts. There has been some important progress, for example at the Kavumu trial in DRC late last year when 11 Congolese militia members were convicted of crimes against humanity for murder and rape against 37 young children. But there is much more to be done. Although ISIL and Kosovo are not mentioned in the report, there continues to be a gap in justice and accountability for sexual violence cases from those conflicts.

  • Country

    Estonia
  • Extracts

    Survivors should always be provided with the option to document their cases for future accountability processes. In this regard, the role of the International Criminal Courtensuring the effective investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes cannot be highlighted enough.  Also, the work of UN Women and Justice Rapid Response is important, as its joint Expert Roaster has provided an effective tool for deploying experts that investigate and document sexual violence in conflict-driven zones.

  • Country

    Netherlands
  • Extracts

    For those conflict-affected countries for which no specific UN sanctions regime exist yet, we urge the Council to consider the adoption of targeted sanctions regimes that would allow for the inclusion of a specific designation criterion on sexual violence. Ultimately, sanctions cannot be an alternative to prosecution of crimes that are punishable under international law. It is first and foremost up to Member States to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators and to facilitate reparations under international humanitarian law. Strengthening the capacity of national institutions is critical to ensure accountability for past crimes, as well as prevention and deterrence for the future.  In this context, we recognize the work of the Team of Experts in building national capacities to enhance accountability for conflict-related sexual violence. If, however, national governments prove to be unable or unwilling, this Council should revert to other means and channels  such as the International Criminal Court to make sure both state and non-stated parties comply with their obligations under international law.

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    Crises are not indifferent to gender, and armed conflicts affect mostly women and girls in particular. Mexico acknowledges the importance of including them in the mediation, peacebuilding and peace consolidation processes, and sustainability of peace, and considers its participation essential when implementing prevention actions, and advancing in national reconstruction and reconciliation. Their access to justice is fundamental. Therefore, the design of mechanisms to protect women and girls should be the rule in every legal system

  • Country

    Austria
  • Extracts

    Austria wants to see all perpetrators, including Da’esh and Boko Haram fighters, held accountable for their repulsive acts of violence against women and girls. As SRSG Patten said today, only by truly fighting impunity will we achieve a deterrence effect. In order to help establish accountability, Austria has supported and contributed financially to the creation of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to assist in investigating and prosecuting international crimes committed in Syria. We also expect that the Investigative Team to support domestic efforts to hold Da’esh accountable by collecting evidence in Iraq will soon generate actionable results.

  • Country

    Maldives
  • Extracts

    Increased awareness about the nature of the crime, changes in taboo social perceptions, and having an efficient and reliable framework to identify sexual exploitation are necessary to establish the first step to end impunity and ensure accountability. We also note that there are commonalities in the recommendations for these countries, including strengthening legal frameworks, provision of access to justice as well as socioeconomic support for victims, strict screening and training of armed and security forces, and strengthening frameworks to enhance cooperation with the United Nations to enhance prevention and response measures. Most of the victims are women and girls from marginalized rural communities, who do not always benefit from full legal protections, and often have cultural taboos regarding sexual violence. Therefore, not only should Member States strive to extend the reach of the rule of law to all communities, but also ensure that the law itself provides protection to the victims through alignment with international human rights standards on sexual violence and abuse.

  • Country

    United States of America
  • Extracts

    The Council has sanctions tools at its disposal to punish these heinous actors around the world, but unfortunately they are terribly underutilized. For example, last year former Special Representative Bangura proposed names to the Council of perpetrators who should be held accountable for their crimes, but nothing has been done. It is now time for the Council to use these tools to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. It is now time to end impunity for these criminals and show survivors and the rest of the world that the international community will respond. It is now time that Member States actively develop sanctions designations for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict. We can also designate criminals operating in conflict zones where we already have United Nations sanctions regimes in place. Taking those steps will not only end impunity for sexual violence and conflict; it will also help to deter future abuses.

  • Country

    Ethiopia
  • Extracts

    In post-conflict situations, the Council could further strengthen its peacebuilding efforts aimed at rebuilding national capacity and institutions, particularly the capacity of security and judiciary services to prevent and punish conflict-related sexual violence and addressing its root causes. That will enable the Council to fight impunity and bring perpetrators to justice, as well as to ensure the non-occurrence of such grave crimes.

  • Country

    Kuwait
  • Extracts

    Based on resolutions 2231 (2015) and 2253 (2015), and taking into the account the Council’s acknowledgement that sexual violence in conflict is a war tactic and a tool used by some terrorist and extremist groups, such violence also constitutes an element of the political economy of terrorism that is used in recruitment and financing. The Security Council should hold accountable all perpetrators of such crimes and end their impunity. It should also further include in the mandates of peacekeeping and political missions tasks related to the empowerment of women in conflict and on holding the perpetrators of crimes of sexual violence accountable following the end of conflict, including referring such crimes, which amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, to appropriate tribunals.

  • Country

    France
  • Extracts

    Every effort must be made to ensure that the perpetrators of sexual violence are tried by competent national courts and, failing that, by international criminal courts, including the International Criminal Court. When judicial proceedings are impossible in the short term, we must ensure that mechanisms are in place to document crimes and enable proceedings at a later stage. The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and the International, Independent and Impartial Mechanism can play that indespensable role. In addition, providing support to national authorities must go hand in hand with protecting civil society actors who work each day to combat sexual violence and assist victims, and who are themselves often threatened

  • Country

    Bolivia
  • Extracts

    It is imperative that the Security Council be resolute in the implementation of its resolutions on combating sexual violence in conflict by promoting accountability and implementing the zero-tolerance policy

  • Country

    Poland
  • Extracts

    The great reluctance of many men and boys to report sexual violence makes it very difficult to accurately assess its scope. Almost certainly, the limited statistics that exist vastly understate the number of male victims. For male survivors, sexual violence remains hidden owing to cultural taboos. The hesitancy of male survivors to speak about sexual violence makes impunity for such crimes even more likely. We urge States to remove all structural and legal obstacles that prevent the investigation and prosecution of rape and other forms of sexual violence committed against men and boys.

Reconstruction and Peacebuilding
  • Country

    Switzerland
  • Extracts

    We are not only talking about women’s empowerment. Men also need empowerment and education in order to transform traditional gender-relations and put an end to harmful behavioural patterns. Including men and boys as allies, as potential victims or perpetrators, and as champions for gender-equality – is crucial in any conflict and violence prevention strategy.

  • Country

    Spain
  • Extracts

    On the one hand, rehabilitation and reintegration programs tend to focus only on men associated with armed groups; on the other, there are usually no programs that cover the needs of men and boys who have been victims of sexual violence. Nor can we forget children born as a result of rape. We propose to include this perspective in cooperation projects and in humanitarian assistance. This has been one of the themes addressed at the recent meeting in Berlin of the Women, Peace and Security National Focal Points Network– a Network that my country created in 2016 and is now chaired by Germany, in which a specific session was held on accountability for crimes of sexual violence, as a central aspect in preventing conflicts.

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    Crises are not indifferent to gender, and armed conflicts affect mostly women and girls in particular. Mexico acknowledges the importance of including them in the mediation, peacebuilding and peace consolidation processes, and sustainability of peace, and considers its participation essential when implementing prevention actions, and advancing in national reconstruction and reconciliation. Their access to justice is fundamental. Therefore, the design of mechanisms to protect women and girls should be the rule in every legal system

  • Country

    Austria
  • Extracts

    Sexual violence in conflict has a significant detrimental impact on individuals and communities. In too many settings, victims and their children are stigmatized, discriminated against and rejected by their communities. An example of determined efforts to support the reintegration of survivors of sexual violence is the case of northern Uganda where in the time of the conflict with the LRA, many serious crimes, including various forms of sexual and gender-based violence, were committed. The Austrian Development Agency together with the International Centre for Transitional Justice has since 2008 implemented four consecutive projects with a focus on supporting ongoing work on transitional justice in Uganda with the aim to reintegrate victims into their communities.

  • Country

    Ethiopia
  • Extracts

    In post-conflict situations, the Council could further strengthen its peacebuilding efforts aimed at rebuilding national capacity and institutions, particularly the capacity of security and judiciary services to prevent and punish conflict-related sexual violence and addressing its root causes. That will enable the Council to fight impunity and bring perpetrators to justice, as well as to ensure the non-occurrence of such grave crimes.

  • Country

    Kuwait
  • Extracts

    At the regional level, the State of Kuwait hosted the International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq, where it announced its contribution of $1 billion in the form of loans and investments. We did so because we believe that the areas liberated from the terrorist Da’esh organization must be rehabilitated and provided support for comprehensive development in order to achieve sustainable development for women and girls, as well as national reconciliation and social justice.

  • Country

    Poland
  • Extracts

    Beyond the immediate cruelty of sexual violence and its consequences, victims are still all too often stigmatized and rejected by their families and communities. In their desire to avoid stigma and discrimination, the majority of victims do not report rape or other forms of sexual violence. That not only contributes to a culture of impunity, it also prevents survivors of sexual violence from accessing medical care and legal assistance. We support the Secretary-General’s call to traditional, religious and community leaders to address harmful social norms and help to redirect the stigma of rape from the victims to the perpetrators. In particular, we want to draw attention to the social stigma experienced by children conceived through rape. Women with children born of sexual violence are the most marginalized of all. Children born of rape are often ostracized by their families and communities.

Implementation
  • Country

    Lithuania
  • Extracts

    All Member States should redouble their efforts to implement SDG 5, in achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls to become actors rather than victims in their societies. All countries should review and revoke any discriminatory laws and practices as well as challenge stereotypes that hinder women’s empowerment.

  • Country

    Argentina
  • Extracts

    Despite an increasingly robust normative framework on women, peace, and security, we emphasize that real, tangible progress lies in implementation. In this regard, much remains to be done. We applaud those countries which have established or renewed national action plans in the past year. We reiterate that such plans must be coupled with sufficient resources to deliver results. Such implementation will also directly contribute to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, agreed to by all Member States.

  • Country

    Mexico
  • Extracts

    The resolutions adopted by the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security have contributed to the normative strengthening of this agenda, but the challenge is achieving its effective, coherent and transversal application throughout the United Nations System and by the Member States, in order to eliminate the still existing marginalization of women in the decision-making on peace and security.

  • Country

    Ethiopia
  • Extracts

    The Council should encourage or pressure, as appropriate, all parties to an armed conflict to fully comply with international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to the protection of civilians. The implementation by Member States of relevant regional and international legal instruments for the prevention, punishment and eradication of all forms of violence against women would also contribute to the national, regional and international response to victims of sexual violence.